THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Menominee's Playoff Run Ends

Issue Date: November 15, 2017

Saturday the Menominee Maroons traveled to Reed City to take on the Coyotes in an MHSAA regional final matchup. The high-powered Coyote rushing attack was too much for the Maroons, as Reed City went on to take the regional title, 46-34.

Reed City did nearly all of their damage on the ground, rushing for 285 yards and attempting, and completing, just two passes all game. Menominee's ground game was nearly just as affective, amounting 276 rushing yards. The difference in the game: two turnovers by the Maroons, resulting in two trips to the end zone for the Coyotes.

The Coyotes took the first lead of the day as, on one of their two passes of the day, Jackson Price found Zach Wirgau for a 5-yard touchdown. They ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead. Menominee answered back when Keagan Monroe broke free for a 50-yard gain, setting himself up for a 3-yard rushing TD. This cut the lead to 8-6.

Phillip Jones took the wind out of the Maroons' sails as he took the ensuing kickoff back 90 yards to the house, giving Reed City a 16-6 advantage. Menominee's response came on their next drive as Jacob Rivard punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, trimming the lead to 16-13.

Reed City just kept coming as Wirgau scored from 10 yards out and after another successful conversion, the Coyotes held a 24-13 lead.

Just before halftime, Rivard scored his second touchdown of the game, this time from 4 yards away. Monroe found Brendan Harris for the conversion, putting the score at 24-21. Unfortunately for the Maroons, the 38 seconds left on the clock was just too much time for the Coyotes. After a 35-yard pass by Reed City, Jones ran in a 7-yard TD with just two ticks remaining before halftime. A successful conversion put the halftime score at 32-21.

Menominee began with the ball coming out of the halftime break. However, that was the only thing that went the Maroons' way. Menominee fumbled on the first play of the half, helping Reed City set up a 5-yard touchdown scamper from Price, extending the lead to 38-21.

Monroe later trimmed the lead again as he punched in a two-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 38-28. In the fourth quarter, Reed City's Jones scored again to extend the lead to 46-28. Menominee tried to come back as Rivard broke loose on a 43-yard touchdown run, bringing them to within 46-34, but the lead was too much to overcome. Reed City held on by the same score to advance in the MHSAA playoffs.

Menominee's Rivard tallied 125 yards and three touchdowns on 25 attempts, while Monroe added 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns.